Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a potential biopesticide for the control of aphids, including the cannabis aphid. This can be utilized to organically control aphids and other biting/sucking insect pests in cannabis and hemp cultivation.
To date there has been little or no direction for insecticide use on Cannabis sativa by federal regulatory agencies. The number of insecticide products useful for pest management that are presently allowable for hemp production is quite limited. Essentially, these include various horticultural oils, some essential oils, insecticidal soaps, and a few botanically derived insecticides. The identification of an “organic” or natural biopesticide for use in the hemp industry will be of immense value to growers. Additionally, it is possible that CBDVA has potency to other pests of other crop species.
This technology involves the use of the cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA), a known cannabinoid found in C. sativa, as a natural insecticide or biopesticide against pests like cannabis aphid. The research found that aphids had lower fecundity and survival on a diet supplemented with CBDVA, indicating its potential role in pest management.
Available for Licensing
TRL: 6
PCT/US2024/038300
Punya Nachappa
Jacob MacWilliams
Jessy McGowan
Jessy.McGowan@colostate.edu
970-491-7100